Record Review /
George Hall,
BBC Music Magazine (London) / 01. October 2008

The couple's acting is realistic and touching . . . Netrebko is an irresistible brat -- her pouting and her flirting are broad enough to be funny, but it's clear why everyone falls for her. Her instrument is the more luscious, opulent one, and her "Obéissions" less internal. In the final scene, she undergoes a more complete transformation . . . It's amazing to see Rolando Villazón playing des Grieux so differently . . .

Record Review /
John Yohalem,
Opera Now (London) / 01. November 2008

She never fails to project plenty of stage charisma, and she clearly enjoys what she is doing . . . the camera loves her. More important, her rich, creamy voice is well suited to Massenet¿s super-heated score . . . The spectacular and ultra-colorful Paterson production looks great on Blu-ray, and all of his artful choreography, sets, and costumes contribute to keeping Massenet¿s very long score alive . . The 19-minute behind-the-scenes bonus . . . does reveal where Paterson is coming from, along with the enthusiasm of Netrebko and Villazón. Paterson¿s highly original idea for Manon really works, and should make this production, aided by the perfect casting of its stars, an enjoyable experience for operaphiles and neophytes . . .